At a glance

Your chance to

At a glance

14 nights hotels, all en suite

Travel by private bus

Additional travel by train, bicycle and jeep

Some long drives

Spend two weeks exploring the delights of this diverse and inspiring island

Lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a natural paradise with a landscape of verdant mountains, rainforests, paddy fields, tumbling waterfalls and sweeping gorges. From ancient Buddhist temples, the fortress of Sigiriya, the towns of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya in the hill country, the wildlife of Yala National Park, which has one of the highest concentrations of leopards in the world, to the idyllic palm-fringed beaches of the south coast, this small island offers incredible variety, made extra special by its laid back atmosphere and hospitable people.

Itinerary

Show detailed itinerary

1Day 1Start Marawila.

The group flight arrives at Colombo's Katunayake Airport and we transfer to our hotel at Watalla on the coast approximately one hour north of the airport. Those not flying with the group will meet us at the hotel.See more images and videos

2Day 2Visit cave temples at Dambulla; to Sigiriya.

We depart after breakfast for the drive (approx 4 hours) through lush green countryside, a mix of coconut palms, paddy fields and banana plantations, through Kurunegala to Dambulla. Here we visit the magnificent Cave Temple, for some, the most impressive sight in Sri Lanka. There are colourful, well preserved paintings and statues of Buddha inside the caves, which date back to the 1st century BC. After lunch we continue on to Sirigriya for the night. From the hotel that we usually use, we can see Lions Rock rising up from the plains (occasionally we may stay nearer to Dambulla due to hotel availability). See more images and videos

This morning we drive to the foot of the Lions Rock at Sigiriya. The imposing 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya rises 600 feet from the plains overlooking the surrounding countryside giving far-reaching views. Used as a safe haven from invaders, the route to the top is up a series of steep steps and gangways. From the base, where a moat surrounds impressive water gardens, we ascend 200m, passing an overhanging rock under which superb portraits of native maidens holding flowers and temple offerings still adorn the rock wall. Crowning the flat-topped summit of the rock are extensive remains of the King's Summer Palace from where there are breath-taking views of the surrounding countryside. The descent is much easier and you can cool off in the hotel pool at dusk.
This afternoon there is a change to enjoy an optional game drive in either Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park or the Hurulu Eco Park to see elephants in their natural habitat. For those who don’t want to take part, there is time to relax at the hotel.See more images and videos

4Day 4To Giritale; bike ride through country villages.

This morning we have a short drive to Giritale where our usual hotel overlooks Giritale Tank - the islands early inhabitants solved the dual problem of heat and lack of water in this dry area by constructing large tanks to act as reservoirs and cool the warm breeze. Nowadays they provide an important habitat for bird life, particularly from August to April. Today we take to bikes and cycle at a leisurely pace through a series of small villages and lakes (if you don't want to cycle you can follow the group in the support vehicle). We should see plenty of bird life including Egrets, Brahmany Kites, Kingfishers, Bulbuls. Stopping for lunch in a traditional village will break up the journey. In the late afternoon we return to our hotel in Giritale.See more images and videos

After breakfast we take a short drive to the 10th century capital of Sri Lanka; Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital of the Sinhalese. Here there are many Buddhist relics and ruins dating from a thousand years ago when Sinhalese culture reached its zenith. The city flourished in the 12th century, after the decision was made to move the capital from Anuradhapura, so it was further away from incursions from southern India. The ruins are therefore younger and better preserved than those at Anuradhapura. We visit many of the temples, palaces, huge dagobas (Buddhist stupas) and remarkable Buddhist sculptures. After lunch we head into the hills to the picturesque town of Kandy.Stopping on the way at a spice garden near Matale where you can see various spices and herbs growing, and here there is a chance to stock up on massage oils, spices and Ayurvedic medicines. This is a long but fascinating day and we arrive at Kandy in the early evening.See more images and videos

6Day 6Visit Temple of the Tooth, the Botanical Gardens, a gem factory and a cultural show.

Kandy is located on a small lake and we spend two full days in and around the town. On the first day we will visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic. The Tooth of Buddha was taken from the funeral pyre in 543 BC and only found its way to Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD. There are literally hundreds of worshippers who visit the temple each day and in August the most spectacular ceremony takes place. Some of our trips in August should coincide with the Kandy festival, but the exact dates, decided by priests, are not known until 5 months prior to the event. After our visit we drive to a beautiful viewpoint over Kandy overlooked by a huge Buddha, and visit a gem museum where you can see the products of the traditional methods of gem extraction. Another highlight is the vast Peradeniya Botanical Garden with species of orchid, plants unique to Sri Lanka. In the evening we may have the chance to attend a performance of the athletic Kandian Dancing and fire eating.
The second day is free to explore this wonderful town. The surrounding hills are wonderful, offering fantastic views of the town below and there are many handicraft stores and antique shops in which to browse.

The second day in Kandy is free to explore this wonderful town. The surrounding hills are wonderful, offering fantastic views of the town below and there are many handicraft stores and antique shops in which to browse.

Heading out of Kandy, we travel through tea plantations to Kitulgala in time for lunch; on the way we visit a tea factory where we see how a cup of tea is produced! Our hotel is beautifully located on a large river, surrounded by thick jungle; this is a great place to relax after the previous days sightseeing. You can swim in the river, relax in the garden or take part in a number of activities such as jungle walks or white water rafting. The rafting is optional and costs extra (see expenses below) and there is a choice of gentle or wild water (grade 3 rapids) depending on your preferences. (Please note that from the full moon day of December to the full moon day of May it is possible to climb Adams Peak.This would be an optional extra and you need to be very fit to attempt this. You would leave Kitulgala at midnight on day 8 and drive to the base of the peak. From here it is a strenuous 4-hour climb to the top in time for sunrise. We then return to Kitulagala to joining the group at lunch on day 9).See more images and videos

We have a jungle walk this morning at Kitulgala. After lunch we make the spectacular drive through tea plantation districts to Nurawa Eliya. This was the favourite hill station during the British era and situated in the cool highland air at 1890m has a very British feel to it. Known locally as 'Little England' it is dotted with British style houses, hotels and even has a racecourse! There will be time this afternoon to look around the town.

10Day 10Early morning to Horton Plains; walk to World's End viewpoint; to Bandarawela by train.

We have an early start this morning and take a 30km drive south to Horton Plains, a large plateau over 2,000m high, overlooked by the second and third highest peaks in Sri Lanka. The scenery is beautiful and the best way to explore is on foot. We take a guided walk through the rolling grasslands, seeing forest, unusual wildlife, such as the sambur and purple faced monkey and visit 'World's End' one of the most stunning sights in Sri Lanka where the ground drops 1050m to the plains. We then catch the train from the highest railway station in the country and within an hour and a half we drop from 1889m to 1097m. The train travels through the cloud forest into the tea plantations, the views are breathtaking. We get off at Bandarawela, a town untouched by tourism.

11Day 11Scenic drive through Ella Gap to Kataragama; game drive in Yala N.P.

Today we continue on to Ella Gap where we have spectacular views of the coastal plain nearly 1,000m below. Almost the whole of the southern part of the island is in view and on a particularly clear day the shimmering silver of the Indian Ocean is visible. At the times of year our trips take place, the weather is normally clear in the mornings, however, as in any mountainous area, bad weather does sometimes occur which will obviously limit the view. We then head south out of the hills to Kataragama down on the plains; this is our base for visiting Sri Lanka's best known National Park, Yala. The park is popular for elephant, leopard, bear, crocodile and wild boar. More than three times larger than Udawalawe at 97,800 hectares, this is the second largest of Sri Lanka's national parks. Its open undulating terrain made it famous for elephants for many years, but recently the park has become well known for leopard. The park, which is primarily shrub jungle with several salt and fresh water lagoons, has one of the highest concentrations of leopard per square kilometre in the world. (Please note that the sanctuary may be closed for 4-6 weeks from September to October allowing the park authorities to check the animals. We therefore go to an alternative area close by, usually the Udawalawe National Park.)See more images and videos

12Day 12Drive to Tangalle and walk through a rice paddy plantation; coastal drive to Ahangama; optional lunch at Tsunami house.

Today we leave for the coast, with its beautiful palm fringed bays. Stopping on the way at Hambantota and walking to a nearby farm house where you be offered tea in a coconut shell along with a local snack. We will mix with real Sri Lankan life and take part in some traditional Sri Lankan sport activities, returning to our bus in little tractors used by the farmers. We have lunch (optional) at one of the houses built by Exodus for Tsunami victims; this may be one of the best curries of your trip! Continuing on to Ahangama in the afternoon we arrive at our coastal hotel and you can relax for the rest of the day.See more images and videos

13Day 13Free day to relax on the beach or optional activities including whale watching (Nov to April).

Free day to relax on the beach or by the pool. There are also numerous optional activities that you can take part in during the day including a boat ride through mangrove swamps to a cinnamon plantation or, from November to April you can go whale watching off Dondra head, one of the best places in the world for seeing Blue and Sperm whales. Huge pods of dolphins are also often seen playing alongside the boats.See more images and videos

We set off today and drive along the coastal road to the historic port of Galle,visiting a turtle hatchery on the way. Galle dates back to the 17th century, and now a UNESCO world heritage sitet. We take the express way to Colombo reaching our hotel in the late afternoon.See more images and videos

15Day 15End Colombo.

If you are travelling on the group flight we will have a morning transfer to the airport for the daytime flight to London. The arrangements for those not flying with the group ends after check out.See more images and videos

Your images

Guided Group

This is a small group adult holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 18 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You are reasonably fit, enjoy the outdoors and are looking for some exercise. Some previous experience is preferable for activity based trips.

What's included

What's included

All breakfasts and 1 lunch

All accommodation (see below)

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

What's not included

Travel insurance

Single accommodation (available on request)

Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation details

Hotels

You will spend 14 nights in en suite hotels. Hotels on this trip are generally of a very good standard, most with swimming pools and good facilities.

A single supplement is available throughout this trip from £360 (Premium departures £500).

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
A visa (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is required if you are British and for most other nationalities. If you do not hold a British passport, please check the visa requirements with your local Sri Lankan Embassy or the ETA website www.eta.gov.lk. Passengers should also be aware of local laws and customs in Sri Lanka (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka/local-laws-and-customs). The mistreatment of Buddhist images and artefacts is an offence; please note that people have been refused entry to Sri Lanka because of visible tattoos of Buddha.
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Holiday style

This is not a demanding trip although there are a few long drives, on bumpy and twisty mountain roads, but the buses are comfortable and air-conditioned. Temperatures can vary between the tropical heat of the coast to the cool of the mountains.

Eating & drinking

All breakfasts and 1 lunch is included. Main meals are not included. We suggest allowing about £15-£17 (approx. US$24 - US$27.50) per day for all other meals.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want
to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.

Weather & seasonality

Sri Lanka has a tropical climate with two distinct wet seasons or monsoons. The SW monsoon brings rain to that area of the island between May and August. The NE monsoon takes place from October to January and only really affects the north and east coastal regions.

Generally, you should expect rain at some time but with plenty of sunshine. On the plains, day and night time temperatures are warm to hot with Colombo having an average daytime temperature of 30degC. The temperatures drop as we go higher into the hills and especially at Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains where daytime temperatures are between 10-15degC and night time temperatures will be chilly (about 8degC minimum) and a warmish jacket will be needed.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

There are too many excellent moments to name just one, but enjoyed the cycling day, learning about the coconuts and the lunch in the forest.

What did you think of your group leader?

Group leader was super. Very friendly and accommodating. Excellent knowledge about the island, the history and the places we visited. Nothing was too much trouble. Sometimes the tricky Sri Lankan names/words/pronunciation were difficult to understand.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Bring a pair of binoculars - great for the National Parks and whale watching. Ladies might like to carry a foldable fan - I found this of great benefit as the humidity can be very high. Next time I would carry a damp flannel too so I could dry my head, face and neck in the heat. Bring a double pack of playing cards for some fun evenings. I didn't take a hairdryer as all hotels either have one in the room or they loan you one.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I loved the holiday and have been impressed with the organisation from start to finish. Hotels nearly all have tea/coffee making facilities and nearly all provide complimentary bottles of water. All had wifi - most accessible in the room but some only accessible in the lobby.
The one gripe I have is that a lot of money is used for tips. Our guide collected an amount of money from each of us at the beginning of the trip to tip everyone over the 2 weeks (we did this on our last trip and found this perfectly acceptable). However, last time the tip collected DID NOT includ the driver and the assistant! So at the end of the holiday each of us contributed £50 each tip to cover the assistant, driver and guide which I think is quite a lot in Sri Lankan terms.

I had a thoroughly enjoyable time from start to finish and would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to see and experience Sri Lanka. The people were warm and welcoming and we were often to hear children call out ' hello, how are you ?' along the way when cycling or rafting. I think it must be the first phrase taught in school.
Great variety of country and activities covered. Bus journeys passed by quickly with plenty rest stops for refreshments. We were looked after by the bus driver, helper and guide Roshan who would start the journey each morning giving a clear, helpful ,informative explanation of the day's activities and local customs.
We travelled in February and had good weather except for one afternoon when torrential rain came down just as we were on the Elephant Safari. Lots of crazy careering about in jeeps and soaked as we had the roof open ( watch your cameras &amp; phones stay dry ) but had a great if bumpy time. Was rewarding to see the elephants enjoying playing in the rain in the freedom of a natural habitat.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Totally unexpected but the most memorable and enjoyable part for me turned out to be the Mangrove boat trip when down South. Worth every penny of the £10 it cost. Paddling out to visit the islands was relaxing and felt privileged to be allowed to land on and explore Temple Island where up to 60 monks live then Cinnamon Island where we were shown how the cinnamon sticks, powder and oil are made by the families living there.
The cycle ride along the canal also gave an insight into daily life of the people living there and an opportunity to see more wildlife close up. Loved the monkeys living and playing by the ruined temples at Polonnaruwa.

What did you think of your group leader?

Roshan was helpful, polite and displays a clear pride , knowledge and love for his country which he was able to convey well. His daily descriptions on the bus each morning were well paced and informative.
He has a great sense of humour and excellent use of English. His enthusiasm teaching us local games on the farm land was infectious with all enjoying the morning's activities.
Our group had a diverse range of interests, age and ability which Roshan catered well for. He displayed great patience when listening then dealing with any queries or concerns which arose.
It was a relief to see his happy smile greet us on arrival at the airport and we were sorry to have to say goodbye at the end of the trip. I hope if Roshan ever wants to visit Scotland, we can help him see and understand our country.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Money cannot be changed into rupees until you arrive in Sri Lanka so you will have to visit the exchange on arrival before leaving the airport. Porters will be keen to help you collect your bags but will expect a tip in return. There are plenty chances to change money throughout the trip and I would advise using cash rather than credit cards to pay as some in our party found their card details being copied.
At the start of the trip we each put £20 into a kitty with the guide to cover daily tips, bottled water on the bus etc. which made things easier. You can also pay for optional excursions in sterling though must be notes as £1 coins not accepted. Useful to keep some small notes &amp; coins ( rupees ) handy to give if taking photographs or buying trinkets when the bus stops for rest breaks. Supply of cool water and air conditioning on the bus was much appreciated.
Be prepared to be standing on the train as busy and seats can only be reserved in Colombo but great views and lots of character. Wi fi is available free in most hotel reception areas. Handy to have an adaptor plug though most rooms also had square pin sockets. Plugs can usually be borrowed if you ask at reception .
When quoted a price for something it is definitely worth haggling as can usually be bought for half or a third of the original price. Price for spices was a lot cheaper in Kandy than at the Spice Gardens. The waves crashing on the shore make it difficult to do any more than paddle on the beach but most hotels had beautiful pools to swim in.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Am glad that I was able to take the 16 day tour as I felt I needed it all to get the most from the experience.
There is a good selection of local and western style food available which is beautifully presented though by the end of the trip folk were beginning to tire of evening buffets. Lots of fresh pineapple and bananas available and worth waiting for freshly cooked omelettes at breakfast time.
Take plenty bug spray, sun lotion &amp; moisturiser with you. Even on cloudy days a hat is useful though most locals carry umbrellas which can be used for shade and rain. All hotels had a safe in the bedroom to store valuables. Bedding,food etc. at Kitulgala was more basic but the riverside location was exceptional and it felt really special. The staff were helpful and keen to please. This was my first trip with Exodus but I hope it won't be my last as I enjoyed it so much. I would have appreciated a second luggage tag for my hand bag as it would have helped identify Exodus passengers at hotels or once the larger case was checked in at airports. It was disappointing that some passengers were sent out two smart Exodus backpacks prior to the trip whilst others in the group got none. Some simple notes giving advice on the immediate area surrounding hotels would be useful ( tips on what to do and see, availability of cafés, ATM machines, temples , how much Tuk tuks are likely to cost etc. ) It would not take long for each main location and could be of use to repeated groups. We were not on a Premium Tour but most of the hotels were super. An added bonus (especially as a Scot !) was being upgraded to the St Andrews Hotel in Nuwara Eliya which provided added comfort, enjoyed especially by those opting not to go to Horton Plains. Can be very hot and humid so can now see why some days had a very early start allowing us to miss the heat and crowds on excursions but giving time to relax and enjoy the pool mid afternoon.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

What did you think of your group leader?

Our group leader (Roshantha Fernando) was very good. He met our expectations and was very informative, professional and with excellent temperament.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Adam's Peak optional activity - We would have preferred to climb another mountain, rather than this site, which although important to holy believers was inundated with the volume of people climbing, waiting at the summit and then returning back to the base. Also, we couldn't believe the amount of litter scattered on the route, which has such a religious meaning to the population!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Location of hotel at Kitulgala was fine but hotel in poor state of repair and not very clean, compared to other Standard Hotels on the itinerary.
Overall a wonderful experience and a holiday that we would recommend.

Having promised herself a gap year after university Katherine hit the road on an overland truck from Kathmandu to Mumbai and fell in love with traveling, the experiences it gives and the opportunity to meet people you never normally would. Since that initial spark she has worked in and around the travel industry, in various roles and for various organisations, whilst still continuing to try and explore at least one new destination each year! She now works in the Product Department looking after a number of Asian destinations.

Questions about your trip

Pick your question

What is the standard of hotels like in Sri Lanka?

All hotels have en suite bathrooms and towels are always provided as well. The standard and décor depends on whether it is “comfortable”, “standard” or “basic” hotel but they are all perfectly fine. The “basic” ones may not have internet access or 24hour reception but they will feel more authentic and local!

Charlotte Taylor - Customer Operations

Will the hotels have towels?

The hotels you stay at will all be good quality, with en suite facilities. As such, towels are usually provided but it's always a good idea to pack a small emergency one in the end of your bag as well, just in case. You may have an odd night where the standard is slightly lower but this will usually be due to where you are and, as such, limited by what is available.

Charlotte Taylor - Customer Operations

Any shopping tips for Sri Lanka?

Try the local markets – big and perfect for gift shopping. But be careful – you will get approached by friendly, English speaking people, who will tell you that they will get you a good deal if you go to a particular stall. Well, it’s not quite true, you will still get overcharged (and the friendly local will get his commission). I suggest to shop around and you will find some good deals yourself!

Charlotte Taylor - Customer Operations

What do I do about money and what are local costs like in Sri Lanka?

In main towns, it is possible to withdraw money from an ATM. It is also possible to exchange Sterling and US Dollars in local exchange offices. I would suggest to take some GBP in cash and change most of it (if not all) at the airport in Colombo (in the arrivals hall). It is absolutely safe to carry cash around with you but you can also leave your passport and excess cash in a safe in your hotel room. Both food and drink prices are reasonable. I was on AIL in September 2008 and I spent £250.00 for food, drinks, gift shopping and tips.

Gabriela Krizanova - Sales

What kind of footwear is suitable for Sri Lanka?

It’s best to bring both light trainers and flip-flops or sandals in the dry season and something waterproof for the wet season. Some solid trainers should suffice.

Gabriela Krizanova - Sales

What kind of food should I expect around the Indian subcontinent?

There is a real mix available and you won't be disappointed! The local cuisine is predominantly vegetarian, with lots of rice. You can enjoy everything from traditional spicy curries to stalls selling tasty sweets and deserts and even right the way to western style grub, if it all gets a bit too much. Vegetarians and 'non-spicy' food people are easily catered for, and the leader will make sure a wide range of dishes are ordered for each meal.

Charlotte Taylor - Customer Operations

Do you have any advice about malaria and rabies?

Unfortunately we are not qualified to answer all your questions in regards to travel health, so we strongly recommend you contact your GP or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information.

Nomad Travel Clinics are experts in preparing people for travel, providing advice on vaccinations, anti-malarial and staying healthy whilst overseas. We have arranged a special 10% discount for Exodus passengers on any vaccinations that you may require! Take along your Nomad discount card, sent with your confirmation pack, or call Exodus for your special discount code.Visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/exodus for further information.

Sri Lanka articles

Staff member Gabriela Krizanova travelled out to Sri Lanka with Exodus and you can read her article here to get a personal viewpoint of the country

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